Older adults comprise the largest consumers of hospital services. Older adult patients and their families deserve and expect care that is specialized to their needs. Additionally regulatory imperative to ensure patient safety and continued emphasis on cost-effective care demand a systematic approach to the care of hospitalized older adults.

NICHE, a national nursing program provides the following essential tools and evidence based resources:

• Clinical protocols and organizational tools critical to embedding evidence-based practice
• Staff development programs specific to the care of older adults
• Guidelines and strategies necessary to implement the Geriatric Resource Nurse Model (GRN) and Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Model
• Tools to develop and evaluate the business case for a system-wide geriatric initiative
• Performance improvement activities and measures

What’s New?

2009 Introduction to Gerontology

A set of four educational modules designed to increase hospital personnel’s sensitivity to the aging process, improve the recognition of age related changes in older adult patients, and enhance communication skills with older patients and their families. This introductory series provides a foundation for developing geriatric sensitive care across all hospital departments. Introduction to Gerontology includes a set of four fully scripted PowerPoint presentations, active learning opportunities, and instructor resources. Get Started Here.

The NICHE Training and Education Programs are member-only resources. Click here to login or for more information on becoming NICHE site visit Join.

Clinical Organizational Models Overview (Chapter 1)

NICHE has developed a series of individual modules that promote organizational change and addresses the system-level implementation of clinical best practices. Made up of a four phase systematic process that guides you in:

• Research
• Planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation

These resources are here to help you develop initiatives such as a physical restraint or pressure ulcer prevention projects. Learn how to improve geriatric care at your hospital. Read more.

Restraint Reduction Program (Chapter 2)

Due to the increased awareness of potential complications associated with physical restraint use, health care providers have been focusing their attention on restraint reduction programs that can both reduce usage as well as address underlying patient issues that frequently lead to restraint use.  Learn more today.

You must log in to the members only site in order to retrieve these chapters.

NICHE Media Kit

Our media kit is now available to NICHE member sites. These materials have been gathered to assist you in promoting NICHE. These materials can be modified and revised for distribution

• Resource
• Logos
• Sample Text for Presentation/Event Announcement
• Sample Press Release Announcing NICHE
• Promotional Tools

You must log in to the members only site in order to access the media kit.

GRN Core Curriculum

It is with pleasure that the NICHE program of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing of the New York University College of Nursing offers The GRN Core Curriculum. This new series of GRN materials is designed for use by those at NICHE sites who train nurses in best practices for older hospitalized adults.

The GRN Core Curriculum is based on the book, "Evidence-Based Geriatric Nursing Protocols for Best Practice", edited by Elizabeth Capezuti, DeAnne Zwicker, Mathy Mezey, Terry Fulmer, Deanna Gray-Miceli, and Malvina Kluger. This third edition published in 2008 includes the most current evidence based nursing protocols known to experts.

Coming soon to the Members Only website

• NICHE Sustainability and Growth: the Business Case
• Magnet and NICHE Alignment